Olaf Salts: Vladimir Putin’s views on the war in Ukraine have not changed

The German chancellor stated that his telephone conversation with him on Friday (15.11. 24), provided no indication of a change in the position of Russian president for the war in Ukraine, but defended his decision to call the Kremlin. In statements from Berlin Airport, just before his departure for the G20 in Brazil, Olaf Solz said it was worth talking to Vladimir Putin in order to dispel any hallucinations he may have fed [the president of Russia] that the West is preparing to abandon its support for Ukraine. He added, referring to Donald Trump’s forthcoming return to the presidency of the United States, that it would also not be good if Washington had regular contact with Putin while no other European leader would. “The conversation was very detailed but contributed to a recognition that not much has changed the Russian president’s views on the war in Ukraine — and this is not good news,” Solts told reporters.